The Pentagon’s new plan to address climate change will be a team effort across the department, at installations and with other government agencies, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday, when the 32-page Climate Adaptation Plan was released.
“[T]he plan first centers the integration of climate-informed decision-making using actionable science into all department processes,” according to a DOD news story.
It outlines five areas where it will align climate adaptation and ongoing resilience efforts:
- Climate-informed decision-making
- Train and equip a climate-ready force
- Resilient built and natural infrastructure
- Supply chain resilience and innovation
- Enhance adaptation and resilience through collaboration
“Tackling these challenges also presents an opportunity, because the bold steps we are taking are good for the climate and also good for our mission of defending the nation,” Austin said in a statement. “With this roadmap, the U.S. military will become even more resilient, efficient and innovative – and remain the world’s preeminent fighting force, ready to confront the risks of today and tomorrow.”
Because no entity within DOD is immune from the effects of climate change, no entity can opt out of helping implement the plan, DOD said in its news story.
Illinois National Guard photo